2017 a 'Golden holiday' year in Korea
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By Lee Han-soo
Koreans are set to enjoy the most holidays since 2005, and by adding some personal vacation days ― annual leave that companies regularly give to employees ― vacations (checked in red below) it can be extended.
So when are these “golden holidays” and what dates are personal vacation days needed? Check the dates below that are highlighted with a “V.” If you can take a day off on the marked days, you will be able to have consecutive holidays.
Jan. 27 to Jan. 30 (4 days)
The long list starts with the Lunar New Year in January.
With the holiday starting on Jan. 27 and running to Jan. 30, an additional day was added because the Lunar New Year itself is on the Saturday. Introduced in 2013, the “substitute holiday” is added when holidays overlap with weekends.
March 1 to March 5 (5 days/2 vacation days needed)
The next holiday is in March, for the March 1st Movement.
Although the holiday starts on a Wednesday, workers can use their paid leave from March 2 to March 3 to have a five-day vacation extending to March 5.
May 3 to May 7 (5 days/1 vacation day needed)
May has two vacation slots in one week.
Starting with Buddha’s Birthday on May 3 and then Children’s Day on May 5, using a vacation day on May 4 can make it a five-day holiday.
Aug. 12 to Aug. 15 (4 days/1 vacation day needed)
With Korea’s Independence Day on the Tuesday, workers can use a vacation day on Aug. 14 to make a four-day holiday that starts on Aug. 12.
Oct. 3 to Oct. 9 (7 days)
It is the longest holiday weekend of 2017, with no vacation days needed.
Starting with National Foundation Day on Oct. 3, then Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) Oct. 4 to Oct 6 and finishing with Hangul Day on Oct. 9, no vacation days are needed to enjoy a seven-day break. If you take a vacation day on Oct. 2, the holiday can start on Sep. 30, making it a 10-day vacation.
Dec. 23 to Dec. 25 (3 days)
The last holiday of 2017.
Everyone was disappointed in 2016 because Christmas was on a Sunday. But there are no worries this year as Christmas is on a Monday.